As the world eagerly awaits the start of the Rugby World Cup 2023 in Paris this weekend, there's a growing awareness of the work taking place behind the scenes that is reshaping player brain health considerations and improving the game’s understanding of concussion.
In the midst of this innovation stands SSA client Marker Diagnostics, a leader in salivary biomarker analysis, which is transforming concussion diagnosis and player safety with their groundbreaking concussion biomarker saliva test.
The Rugby World Cup will be a showcase for player welfare changes
A Concussion Conundrum
Concussions have long been a concern in contact sports like rugby. These traumatic brain injuries can be challenging to diagnose accurately, often relying on subjective information and clinical judgement. However, the advent of the CE marked Marker concussion test is changing this narrative for male and female athletes alike.
After a concussive event, the brain undergoes a complex series of chemical changes, which in turn alter the composition of salivary biomarkers. These changes provide valuable medical data into the extent of the injury and the player's recovery process. The Marker concussion test, through a simple and non-invasive saliva swab, directly measures this physiological response.
Unveiling the Marker Concussion Test
Marker's concussion diagnostic test is a game-changer.
By analysing specific biomarkers in saliva, it offers an accurate and objective biological diagnosis of concussion, which can then be used to augment and support the initial diagnosis and treatment of a player, as well as ensure the safe return to play when ready.
Previously, the diagnosis of concussion relied on subjective information, often leading to ambiguity and difficulty in a definitive diagnosis or determining when a player is ready to return to the field. With the Marker concussion test, this ambiguity will become a thing of the past, making the diagnostic process biologically measurable in a precise and reliable manner.
At the elite professional level of rugby, the concussion test provides a valuable tool to the medical staff in association with the existing World Rugby Head Injury Assessment (HIA) protocol. In community sport, these patented biomarkers may provide an unsupervised diagnostic and return to play test that is comparable in accuracy to the level of assessment available in an elite professional sport setting.
A Decade of Groundbreaking Research
The development of the Marker concussion test is the result of a decade of pioneering research conducted at the University of Birmingham by DrValentina di Pietro and Professor Tony Belli. Their efforts have paved the way for a new era of player safety in rugby and beyond.
Marker's has refined and optimised the patented and CE marked salivary diagnostic concussion test is the world's only approved biological concussion diagnostic and represents a significant leap forward in player welfare, giving athletes the confidence that their health and well-being are being prioritised.
Marker has worked closely with World Rugby in recent years and is also working with several partners across men’s and women’s rugby. This includes Premiership Men’s and Women’s Rugby competitions in England, Vodacom United Rugby Championship, recent TikTok Women’s Six Nations, Farrah Palmer cup in New Zealand, as well as successful data collection during last year’s delayed 2021 Women’s World Cup in New Zealand.
A Game-Changer for All Levels of Play
While elite athletes often benefit from cutting-edge medical technology, Marker's concussion test is not limited to the professional arena but will also be made accessible to community sport. This means that players at all levels will be able to enjoy the same level of protection and care as their professional counterparts.
In community sports, the Marker concussion test will offer a user-friendly diagnostic tool that matches the accuracy of elite-level assessments, empowering medical staff and coaches to make informed decisions about player safety.
Looking Ahead
Marker’s concussion test is set to play a pivotal role in ensuring that athletes can compete at the highest level while also safeguarding their long-term health.
Marker’s vision is to provide every athlete, from aspiring youngsters to seasoned professionals, with an objective and scientific concussion diagnosis, prognosis, and return-to-play program.
This commitment not only provides personalised brain health information to the players, but also helps provide actionable medical data to elite and community level sport.
For more information about Marker Diagnostics go to see the website Markerhealth.com or follow them on twitter @Test4Concussion